On Your Lead

Send us Fan Mail

Elite ultrarunner Kilian Korth is known for winning the Triple Crown Series, finishing as the first male at Cocodona 250, and pushing the limits of what humans can endure over 200-mile races. But this conversation isn't really about ultrarunning.

It's about how to think.

We explore why achievement never satisfies the way we expect it to, the discipline of falling in love with the process instead of the outcome, and how intentional routines shape the way we perform under pressure. Kilian shares his approach to recovery after injury, why he protects his mornings from distraction, what philosophy has taught him about resilience, and why community may matter more than competition.

Along the way, we discuss Stoicism, meditation, books that have changed his life, training the mind for discomfort, and what the world's best endurance athletes can teach all of us about living with purpose.

Whether you're chasing a finish line, building a business, leading a team, or simply trying to become a little better each day, this conversation offers practical wisdom that reaches far beyond the trails.

Contact Thad - [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

Western States 100 has a strange power over people, even the ones who swear they’re not into hype. We talk with AJW, a 10-time Western States finisher, coach, longtime volunteer, and storyteller with deep roots in the race, to put real words to what makes this ultramarathon feel like sacred ground. From the nonprofit ethos to the lived reality of the course, we get into why this event keeps its mystique even as trail running grows louder and more commercial.

We also go practical. AJW lays out what to handle months in advance so race week stays quiet: lodging, crew and pacer plans, vehicles, and the Memorial Day training camp. Then we zoom into the Western States 100 course itself, breaking it into four sections and highlighting five pinch points where runners often lose the plot. We talk wet feet, river crossings, shoe changes, aid station spacing, and why “it’s all downhill” is one of the most dangerous lies you can believe after Foresthill.

Heat is the final boss, and we treat it that way. AJW shares how he approaches heat training with sauna-based heat acclimation, what “cooling” really means in the canyons, and the rookie mistakes he sees every year, from hammering the opening climb to trashing quads on the descents. If you’re chasing a sub-20 Western States finish or just trying to make it to Auburn with a clear head, this gives you a roadmap that’s equal parts strategy and respect for what the day demands.

Subscribe for more conversations on endurance, leadership, and the miles that change you, and if this helped, share it with the person dreaming about Western States and leave us a review.

Contact Thad - [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

Some leaders sound amazing in meetings and still leave a trail of burnout behind them. Others build teams that trust them, take ownership, and grow into leaders themselves. We sit down with Christine O’Hara to talk about the difference, and why the “steady state” matters more than hype when your company is moving fast and the pressure is on.

Christine connects ultra-endurance racing lessons from Moab 240 to modern leadership development: decision making under fatigue, staying emotionally regulated, and committing to a clear plan even when chaos shows up. We get practical about servant leadership in sales and in life, including how often to connect with your leaders, how to protect your calendar, and how to simplify priorities so you stop trying to do seven things at once.

We also dig into coaching vs telling, why asking better questions creates better managers, and how high performers can get trapped by over-preparedness and the need to have all the answers. Then we flip it and name what poor leadership looks like in the workplace: low self-awareness leaders who say the right things but do none of it, and fear-based leaders who silence honesty and shape teams through manipulation. If you lead people, want to lead people, or are trying to survive a bad manager while keeping your standards high, this conversation gives you language and tools you can use immediately.

If this helps, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, share it with a leader who needs it, and leave a review with the leadership habit you’re working on right now.

Contact Thad - [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of On Your Lead, Thad sits down with endurance athlete Christine O'Hara to unpack what it really takes to push through the hardest moments in ultra running—and in life.

Christine shares the story behind her experience at the Moab 240, a race that tests runners across 240 miles of desert terrain, sleep deprivation, and mental fatigue. But this conversation goes far beyond the race itself.

They dive into the mindset required to keep moving forward when things get difficult, the power of breaking overwhelming challenges down into one step at a time, and how the lessons learned on the trail translate directly into everyday life.

Christine also opens up about parenting, building strong families, and the importance of being present in a world filled with distractions.

This episode is a powerful reminder that when the path ahead feels impossible, sometimes the only thing you need to do is take the next step.

Whether you're a runner, leader, parent, or simply someone navigating a hard season, this conversation will leave you thinking about what it really means to keep moving forward.

Contact Thad - [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of On Your Lead, I sit down with Dean Karnazes to talk about endurance, discipline, and what actually carries you through hard moments.

Dean shares how he approaches pain, uncertainty, and long efforts — not by overthinking, but by quieting the mind and focusing on the next step. We talk about why suffering doesn’t need to be dramatic, how preparation creates freedom, and why some of the most important breakthroughs happen when you stop trying to control the outcome.

This conversation isn’t just about running. It’s about leadership, decision-making, and staying steady when things get hard — whether that’s on the trail, at work, or in life.

Contact Thad - [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

What if the fastest way to become a better leader is to stop trying to do everything yourself?

In this episode of On Your Lead, I sit down with Mike Abrashoff, former U.S. Navy commander and bestselling author of It’s Your Ship, to unpack how he transformed one of the Navy’s lowest-performing ships into a fleet leader by giving ownership to the people closest to the work.

Mike shares the real mechanics behind the turnaround: interviewing all 310 sailors, inviting challenges to every process, and making junior crew members the VIPs when admirals visited. We talk about the “line in the sand” for delegation, why many top performers struggle when they become managers, and how leaders get trapped doing low-value work instead of the thinking only they can do.

We also dig into preparation as a form of freedom — including the bold decision that allowed his ship to pass every certification in record time, dramatically changing morale, schedules, and results. We close with a conversation about legacy leadership: measuring success not by what happens while you’re in charge, but by what happens months after you leave.

This is a practical, grounded conversation about trust, discipline, and building teams that don’t depend on you to succeed.

Contact Thad - [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

What if the key to healing trauma lies in the unexpected fusion of military discipline and psychedelic therapy? This episode features an enlightening conversation with Army veteran Mark Cunningham, who reveals his journey from the battlefields of Afghanistan to the nuanced world of MDMA-assisted therapy. With a rich background in anthropology and marriage and family therapy, Mark shares how his experiences overseas not only reshaped his view of military service but also fueled his passion for addressing moral injury and PTSD among veterans. His story serves as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of sharing one's experiences in the quest for healing.

Together, we explore the profound impact of military service on personal identity and moral beliefs, diving deep into concepts like moral injury and its distinction from PTSD. Mark introduces wisdom from figures like Claude Anshin Thomas and Thich Nhat Hanh, highlighting the role of mindfulness and Zen Buddhism in addressing these complex issues. We also venture into the evolutionary lessons from our primate relatives, bonobos and chimpanzees, examining what their cultural adaptations can teach us about human evolution and the modern challenges young men face in defining masculinity.

The episode wraps up with a look at the transformative power of MDMA-assisted therapy and the broader societal implications of psychedelic use. Mark shares insights from his therapeutic practice, discussing how MDMA therapy can calm the fear response and foster trust, offering veterans a path to profound healing. We also touch on cultural perspectives around psychedelics, considering decriminalization efforts in Portugal and cannabis legalization in Colorado. As Mark and I reflect on our own journeys, we emphasize the importance of community and shared experiences, underscoring the healing power of connection for veterans transitioning to civilian life.

Contact Thad - [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

Embark on an enlightening journey with Neil Krovats, the mastermind behind Clearline Technologies, as we unveil the secrets of his entrepreneurial metamorphosis. Discover how this visionary ventured beyond the family business to sculpt an eco-friendly empire from recycled tire rubber, crafting pipe supports that redefine industry standards and environmental stewardship. Neil's narrative is a homage to the ingenious potential that lies in fusing persistence with out-of-the-box thinking, providing a blueprint for success that both green-thumbs and business aficionados can admire.

Our conversation digs into the rich tapestry of cognitive styles that shape the landscape of business innovation. You'll learn about the 'middler' personality—individuals who straddle the line between structured and dynamic thinking—and how this trait can be a superpower for juggling myriad ideas. Explore the challenges random thinkers face in our sequentially-driven world and the ways they can harness their unique perspective to craft solutions that escape the conventional mind. Neil and I reflect on the synergies and struggles intrinsic to diverse thought processes and how they fuel the engine of entrepreneurial progress.

Wrapping up, we traverse the evolution of environmental consciousness, from its infancy as a fringe movement to its current status as a global imperative. Drawing parallels to this shift, we examine the entrepreneur’s path from outlier to innovator. We delve into the power of embracing individuality and the critical importance of cognitive diversity in driving change. Sharing anecdotes and personal reflections, we underscore the significance of innovative minds in sculpting the future, making this episode an essential listen for anyone passionate about creativity, the environment, or the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurship.

Contact Thad - [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

As a former Marine ReconScout Sniper, I've weathered storms both literal and metaphorical, but nothing quite mirrors the tempest of reintegration that veterans face. Sean Duclay from Sail Ahead joins me, your host Thad David, to navigate these choppy waters, revealing how sailing provides a lifeline to veterans adrift in the civilian world. We set sail on a remarkable voyage where Sean charts the course of Sail Ahead's origin, its impactful mission, and the community's fervent support that's been the wind in its sails, touching over 4,000 veterans' lives.

The tales we share are as vast and deep as the ocean itself, from the poignant visual of 219 name tags honoring fallen heroes to the stirring accounts of veterans reclaiming their sense of purpose at sea. Through Sean's eyes, we glimpse the profound tributes paid to these warriors, the comradery found on deck, and the aspiration to reach further shores and touch more lives. It's an odyssey of remembrance, healing, and the unwavering resolve to combat the veteran suicide crisis—one sail at a time.

Hoisting the mainsail, we then tack towards the very heart of what makes Sail Ahead a sanctum for solace and strength. Stories unfurl like sails in the wind, capturing the raw emotion and therapeutic breakthroughs that occur amidst the waves. You'll hear about the seamless teamwork, the cathartic conversations, and the sense of belonging fostered through this unique sailing community. It's more than a sport; it's a vessel of hope, where veterans and their families find camaraderie, healing, and a new direction in life's vast ocean. Join us on this passionate pursuit to set new courses for veteran support and discover the ripple effects of change, one sail at a time.

Check out there website and support Sail Ahead:
https://www.sailahead.org/

Contact Thad - [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Send us Fan Mail

When my great grandfather returned from the Spanish-American War, the battle followed him home, casting a long shadow over his daily life. Dr. Chris Frueh joins us to shed light on this very darkness that many veterans confront, known as Operator Syndrome—an affliction that intertwines mental and physical health, leaving a complex legacy of suffering. Through Dr. Frueh's compassionate lens, we navigate these challenges, illustrating the pressing need for holistic support systems for our nation's heroes, and the transformational power of treatment and understanding.

What would it look like if every citizen contributed to national service, bridging gaps and cultivating respect for the shared commitment to our country's welfare? We explore this radical idea, examining how mandatory national service could foster unity and appreciation for those in uniform. By examining global examples and the unique bond among service members, the discussion with Dr. Frueh unveils a provocative vision for a more cohesive society, grounded in the principles of service and sacrifice.

The journey towards healing is rife with hurdles for many veterans, especially those battling the silent aftermath of blast injuries and TBIs. This episode delves into these complex health concerns, from cognitive impairments to sleep disruptions and hormonal imbalances. We highlight the promising horizon of treatments like the stellate ganglion block therapy and the potential of wearable technology in improving sleep and overall well-being. By exploring cutting-edge fitness regimes and the invaluable resources being developed by SEAL Future's health board, we offer a beacon of hope for veterans striving toward recovery and health. Join us for this profound dialogue, featuring Dr. Chris Frueh, to gain a deeper appreciation of the resilience and the ongoing needs of our veterans.

Buy his book on Amazon by clicking here.

Contact Thad - [email protected]

Thanks for listening!